Shoe with a rotating cleat

ABSTRACT

A shoe with a rotatable cleat, comprising a shoe and rotating cleats. The shoe has a sole and the sole has engagement portions, which engage with the rotating cleats. The rotating cleats comprise a cleat, a rotating portion, and a bearing portion. The cleat and the shoe are freely rotatable with respect to each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a shoe with one or more rotating cleats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, an athletic shoe is intended to provide an athlete with the ability to use their feet to their full potential during an athletic endeavor. The shoe may include features that enhance the wearer's natural range of motion, and they are usually designed so the shoe does not significantly interfere with the athlete's natural ability.

Golf shoes often include spikes or cleats that extend from the bottom of their respective soles. These spikes or cleats enhance the wearer's grip on soft turf surfaces. Typically, the spikes on a golf cleat are typically threadedly removable and they engage a corresponding threaded portion disposed in holes at predetermined locations on the bottom of the sole.

When a golfer prepares to hit the golf ball with significant effort, a shift in body weight occurs in the follow through (back swing). The player continues the rotation of their torso, but an anatomical binding occurs after contact is made with the ball. The rotation of the torso causes the back foot to follow the shoulders, such that weight is transferred forward to the lead leg. The binding stress on the lead ankle puts tremendous stress on the ligaments that attach the ankle to the fibula and tibia. As the binding continues with the follow through, the elasticity of the body transfers the binding to the knee where the medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, medial meniscus, and lateral meniscus are under torsion with the femur. While all of this is occurring, the torso continues to rotate until the limits of anatomical elasticity are directed to the lumbar vertebrae. This stress can cause any number of injuries and this is exacerbated by the fact that the golfer tees off 18 times in a game. Current golf shoes do not reduce the stress. As such, current golf shoes and cleats are deficient because: they do not reduce the stress of a tee-off swing; they do not allow the golfer to have a greater range of motion or a natural motion fail to securely stay in place during strong wind gusts; and they do not allow the shoe to remain firmly planted in ground without interfering with the continuing follow through by the user's body.

Thus, what is needed is an improved golf shoe that has one or more rotating sections or cleats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present disclosure discloses a new and useful shoe with a rotating portion or cleat.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a golf shoe that has one or more rotatable portions on the sole. Preferably the rotatable portions are on the front (ball) and back (heel) of the sole. The midsole or arch segment may preferably have solidly fixed cleats that are integrated into the sole. This allows the toe and heel of the shoe to remain elevated in a normal standing stance. Preferably, the ball and heel portions of the sole each have one or more mounting points that allow a removable rotation portion to be attached to or otherwise engage with the mounting points. The removable rotation portion may have one or more integrated cleats or one or more removeable cleats, such that the cleats are rotatable with respect to the upper of the shoe.

In some embodiments, the removable rotation portion is permanently attached to the sole.

In some embodiments the rotation portion may act as a suspension for the cleats.

The shoe of the present disclosure may promote the continued rotation of the golfer's body by allowing the body to follow through the swing without the significant stress caused by a non-rotating shoe, which restricts the body's movement. With the shoe of the present disclosure, the user may keep their feet firmly planted in the ground while the ankle, knee, and hip continue to move as the body's weight continues its momentum after the golf ball is struck. The outcome is more of a natural swing that is less stressful to the golfer.

One embodiment may be a shoe with a rotatable cleat, comprising: a shoe; and one or more rotating cleats; wherein the shoe comprises a sole; wherein the sole comprises one or more engagement portions; wherein the one or more rotating cleats each comprise a cleat, a rotating portion, and a bearing portion; wherein the bearing portion is configured to connect with the rotating portion and the cleat, such that the cleat and the rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; and wherein the rotating portion is configured to connect with at least one of the one or more engagement portions, such that the cleat is rotatable with respect to the sole of the shoe. The rotating portion may have one or more suspension portions. The cleat may removeably couple to the bearing portion. The rotating portion may removeably couple to at least one of the one or more engagement portions. The sole may further comprise one or more mid sole cleats. There may be two rotating portions, a toe rotating portion and a heel rotating portion. The cleat of the toe rotating portion is a toe cleat and the cleat of the heel rotating portion is a heel cleat. The mid sole cleats may substantially prevent the toe and heel rotating portions from contacting the ground when a user is standing. The toe cleat may be configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a heel portion of a foot in a stepping motion, which allows a user to rotate the shoe with respect to the ground and the toe cleat. The heel cleat may be configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a toe portion of a foot, which allows a user to rotate the shoe with respect to the ground and the heel cleat. The toe and heel rotating portions may be elevated relative to a middle portion of the sole and may be substantially prevented from contacting the ground when a user is standing.

Another embodiment may be a shoe with a rotatable cleat, comprising: a shoe; and two rotating cleats, a toe rotating cleat and a heel rotating cleat; wherein the shoe comprises a sole; wherein the sole comprises one or more toe engagement portions and one or more heel engagement portions; wherein the two rotating cleats each comprise a cleat, a rotating portion, and a bearing portion, such that there are two cleats, a toe cleat and a heel cleat, two rotating portions, a toe rotating portion and a heel rotating portion, and two bearing portions, a toe bearing portion and a heel bearing portion; wherein the toe bearing portion is configured to connect with the toe rotating portion and the toe cleat, such that the toe cleat and the toe rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; wherein the heel bearing portion is configured to connect with the heel rotating portion and the heel cleat, such that the heel cleat and the heel rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; wherein the toe rotating portion is configured to connect to the one or more toe engagement portions, such that the toe cleat is rotatable with respect to the sole of the shoe; and wherein the heel rotating portion is configured to connect to the one or more heel engagement portions, such that the heel cleat is rotatable with respect to the heel of the shoe. Each of the two rotating portions may have one or more suspension portions. The toe cleat may removeably couple to the toe bearing portion. The heel cleat may removeably couple to the heel bearing portion. The toe rotating portion may removeably couple to the one or more toe engagement portions. The heel rotating portion may removeably couple to the one or more heel engagement portions. The toe and heel rotating portions may be elevated relative to a middle portion of the sole and are substantially prevented from contacting the ground when a user is standing. The sole may further comprise one or more mid sole cleats, wherein the one or more mid sole cleats may substantially prevent the toe and heel rotating portions from contacting the ground when a user is standing. The toe cleat may be configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a heel portion of a foot in a stepping motion, which allows a user to rotate the shoe with respect to the ground and the toe cleat. The heel cleat may be configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a toe portion of a foot, which allows a user to rotate the shoe with respect to the ground and the heel cleat.

Another embodiment may be a rotatable cleat, comprising: a cleat; a rotating portion; and a bearing portion; wherein the bearing portion is configured to connect with the rotating portion and the cleat, such that the cleat and the rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; and wherein the rotating portion is configured to connect with one or more engagement portions of a sole of a shoe, such that the cleat is rotatable with respect to the sole of the shoe. The rotating portion may have one or more suspension portions. The cleat may removeably couple to the bearing portion, the rotating portion may removeably couple to at least one of the one or more engagement portions; and the cleat may be configured to engage with the ground without slipping, which allows a user to rotate the shoe with respect to the ground and the cleat.

Another embodiment may be a shoe with one or more rotatable cleats, comprising: a shoe; and one or more rotating cleats; wherein the shoe comprises a sole; wherein the sole comprises a toe, a mid-sole, and a heel; wherein the toe comprises one or more toe cleat engagement portions; wherein the mid-sole comprises one or more mid-sole cleat engagement portions; wherein the heel comprises one or more heel cleat engagement portions; wherein the one or more rotating cleats each comprise a cleat, a rotating portion, and a bearing portion; wherein the bearing portion is configured to connect with the rotating portion and the cleat, such that the cleat and the rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; and wherein the rotating portion is configured to connect with at least one of the heel, the toe, and the mid-sole, such that the cleat is rotatable with respect to the sole of the shoe. The rotating portion may have one or more suspension portions. The cleat may removeably couple to the bearing portion. There may be two rotating cleats, a first cleat and a second cleat, such that there are two rotating portions, a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion. The first and second rotating portions may removeably connect to:

a) the one or more toe cleat engagement portions and the one or more heel cleat engagement portions; or

-   -   b) the one or more mid-sole cleat engagement portions and the         one or more heel cleat engagement portions; or     -   c) the one or more toe cleat engagement portions and the one or         more mid-sole cleat engagement portions.

In another embodiment, there may be three rotating cleats, a toe cleat, a mid-sole cleat, and a heel cleat, such that there are three rotating portions, a toe rotating portion, a mid-sole rotating portion, and a heel rotating portion; and wherein the toe rotating portion removeably couples to the one or more toe cleat engagement portions, the heel rotating portion removeably couples to the one or more heel cleat engagement portions, and the mid-sole rotating portion removeably couples to the one or more mid-sole cleat engagement portions.

These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the toe portion of the shoe.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the heel portion of the shoe.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a rear view of one embodiment of the shoe.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe showing the front cleat engaging with the ground.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe showing the rear cleat engaging with the ground.

FIG. 9A-9E are illustrations of various views of one embodiment of the rotatable cleat.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of a rotating cleat.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a side view of a one embodiment of a cap replacing the rotatable cleat.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, may refer to a deviance of between 0.001-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe. As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe 100 may comprise an upper 110, a sole 105, one or more mid sole cleats 120, one or more front engagement portions 130, and one or more rear engagement portions 140. As shown, the shoe 100 may preferably be an athletic or golf shoe. The mid sole of the shoe may have mid sole cleats 120, which allow the toe and heel portions of the shoe 100 to be raised off the ground. This allows there to be room to attach a rotatable portion and a cleat to the toe and/or heel of the shoe 100. The rear and front engagement portions may be one or more male or female connectors, such as a screw, nut, threaded device, snap, friction fitting, latch, snap-lock, twist-lock, and the like.

Although the mid sole cleats 120 are shown as one or more fixed rubber or metal cleats, the cleats 120 may be removable. Further, the mid sole may be a single raised portion that ensures that the toe and heel are at least somewhat elevated above the ground.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe. As shown in FIG. 2, the shoe 100 may have a sole 105, which has one or more mid sole cleats 120, front engagement portions 131, 132, 133, and rear engagement portions 141, 142. FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the engagement portions 130, 131, 132, 133, 140, 141, 142 may be female nuts or female friction snaps, which allow for a male connector portion of a rotating portion to be removeably connected to one or more of the engagement portions 130, 131, 132, 133, 140, 141, 142.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the toe portion of the shoe. As shown in FIG. 3, the shoe 100 may have sole 105 and one or more mid sole cleats 120. It may also have a rotating portion 200. The rotating portion 200 may comprise a base 201 and one or more sole engaging portions 202, 204, 206. The sole engaging portions 202, 204, 206 may preferably be configured to engage with engagement portions 131, 132, 133, such that the rotating portion 200 is firmly, but preferably removably, fixed to the sole 105 of the shoe 100. The sole engaging portions 202, 204, 206 may be male screws, pins, protrusions, snaps, rods, or the like, which are configured to removeably connect to engagement portions 131, 132, 133. In some embodiments the one or more rotating portions 200 may be permanently attached to the sole 105.

Although FIG. 3 shows that the rotating portion 200 is attached to the sole 105 at three points (engagement portions 131, 132, 133), the rotating portion 200 may be attached at two, one, four, or more engagement portions. If only attached at one engagement point, the engagement point may be centered on the toe portion of the sole.

FIG. 3 also shows that the rotating portion 200 may comprise or engage with a bearing portion 300. The bearing portion 300 may be cylindrical with an outer ring or rim, an inner ring or rim, and a plurality of ball bearings that allow the inner ring to rotate freely with respect to the outer ring. The bearing portion 300 may be any device that allows two portions to rotate with respect to each other. FIG. 3 shows that the bearing portion 300 may preferably be centered on the toe (front) portion of the sole 105.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the heel portion of the shoe. As shown in FIG. 4, the shoe 100 may have sole 105 and mid sole cleats 120. It may also have a rotating portion 210. The rotating portion 210 may comprise a base 220 and one or more sole engaging portions 211, 212. The sole engaging portions 211, 212 may preferably be configured to engage with engagement portions 141, 142, such that the rotating portion 210 is firmly, but preferably removably, fixed to the sole 105 of the shoe 100. FIG. 4 also shows that the rotating portion 220 may comprise or engage with the base 220 of bearing portion 301. The bearing portion 301 may be cylindrical with an outer ring or rim, an inner ring or rim, and a plurality of ball bearings that allow the inner ring to rotate freely with respect to the outer ring. The bearing portion 301 may be any device that allows two portions to rotate with respect to each other. FIG. 4 shows that the bearing portion 301 may preferably be centered on the heel (rear) portion of the sole 105.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe. As shown in FIG. 5, the shoe 100 may comprise an upper 110 and a sole 105. The sole 105 may have one or more mid-sole cleats 119. Mid-sole cleats 119 shows that the cleats may not have the grip ends, shown in FIG. 1 as mid-sole cleats 120. The sole 105 may also have engagement portions 130 and 140, which are configured to removably connect to or engage with rotating portions 200 and 210, respectively. The rotating portions, which may also be an integrated (unitary) part of the sole 105, may further engage with cleats 400, 401. As shown, the cleats 400, 401, which alternatively may be permanently attached to the sole 105 or rotating portions 200, 210, preferably extend distally away from the sole 105. During movement, such as a golf swing, the cleats 400, 401 are configured to come into contact with the ground. The cleats 400, 401 may be a single spike, or, as shown, may resemble a standard golf cleat with multiple prongs or spikes. The cleats 400, 401 preferably may removeably engage with the ring of bearing portion 300, 301, such that the cleat is rotatable on a parallel plane with respect to the rest of the sole 105. FIG. 5 shows the embodiment where the cleat 400, 401 preferably may be held above the ground when the user is standing. This prevents undue wear on the cleat 400, 401. In other embodiments, the cleat 400, 401 may barely, somewhat, or completely touch the ground in a standing position. The cleats 400, 401 may preferably be made from thermoplastic polymers, composites, hard rubber, or plastic, but may also be made from metal, leather, or a soft rubber. The cleats 400, 401 may be various other shades and have various prongs or spikes, depending on the type of surface that will be encountered by the user.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a rear view of one embodiment of the shoe. The shoe 100 may have upper 110 and sole 105. It may also have a rotating portion 210. The base of rotating portion 210 may engage with engagement portions 141, 142, such that the base of the rotating portion 210 is firmly, but preferably removably, fixed to the sole 105 of the shoe 100. FIG. 6 shows that the cleat 401 is connected to the rotating portion 210. FIG. 6 also shows that rotating portion is elevated above the ground when the cleat 401 is touching the ground. This allows the cleat 401 to twist or rotate relative to the rotating portion 210 and the rest of the shoe 100. FIG. 6 also shows that the base of the rotating portion may have suspension portions 550, 551. The suspension portions 550, 551 may provide tension and/or shock absorption. In one embodiment, the suspension portion 551 may be made from a soft foam or other material that gives, such that when the user shifts weight to the right the suspension portion gives and allows a natural tilt. In contrast, the suspension portion 550 may be made from a harder material or be spring loaded, such that when the user shifts their weight to the right the suspension portion provides a lifting boost. Depending on which leg the shoe 100 is on and whether the golfer is right or left handed, the suspension portions 550, 551 may be properly constructed to give, lift, or provide shock absorption.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe showing the front cleat engaging with the ground. FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a shoe 100 that is a right shoe of a right-handed golfer or that is a left shoe of a left-handed golfer. At the end of an exertive golf swing, the golfer frequently ends the swing with their back foot having the toe portion firmly planted in the ground. The toe is pointed approximately towards the direction that the ball was hit, which is about 60 to more than 90 degrees from where the foot was before the swing. This means that the shoe 100 twists about 60 to 90 degrees during the course of the swing, which includes the follow through. Because shoes before the present invention did not have rotatable cleats, the cleats would have to twist into the ground as the user twisted their foot. The resistance of the shoe to the twisting motion causes stress and can lead to an injury. If the shoe has no toe cleat, then the shoe may slip and the user cannot dig into the ground to finish the swing with power. The follow-through portion of the swing thus degrades prematurely.

FIG. 7 shows that the cleat 400 is dug into the ground and may have rotated, such that the cleat 400 is still in its original position, but the shoe 100, upper 110, sole 105, mid-sole cleats 119 and mid-sole cleats 120, and rotating portion 200 have rotated 60 to more than 90 degrees during the swing. This allows the cleat 400 to remain in place and maintain stability but the rest of the shoe 100 twists without significant resistance and substantially reduces the stresses of the swing on the user's foot, ankle, leg, back, and torso. The user may elect to have mid-sole cleats with grip ends 120 or just nub ends 119.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the shoe showing the rear cleat engaging with the ground. FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a shoe 100 that is a left shoe of a right-handed golfer or that is a right shoe of a left-handed golfer. During an exertive golf swing, the golfer frequently lifts their toes and firmly plants the heel portion of the shoe into ground. The toe portion of the shoe may shift 60 to 90 degrees and ending in being pointed approximately towards the direction that the ball was hit. This means that the shoe 100 twists about 60 to 90 degrees during the course of the swing, which includes the follow through. Because shoes before the present invention did not have rotatable cleats, the cleats would have to twist into the ground as the user twisted their foot. The resistance of the shoe and ground to the twisting motion causes stress and can lead to an injury. If the shoe has no heel cleat, then the shoe may slip and the user cannot dig into the ground to complete the swing with power.

FIG. 8 shows that the cleat 401 is dug into the ground and may have rotated, such that the cleat 400 is still in its original position, but the shoe 100, upper 110, sole 105, mid-sole cleats 120, mid-sole cleats 119, and rotating portion 210 have rotated 60 to 90 degrees during the swing. This allows the cleat 401 to remain in place and maintain stability, but the rest of the shoe 100 twists without significant resistance and substantially reduces the stresses of the swing on the user's foot, ankle, leg, back, and torso.

FIG. 9A-9E are illustrations of various views of one embodiment of the rotatable cleat. FIG. 9A shows that the cleat 600 may have a cleat base 602, bearing engagement portion 604, and ground engagement portion 700. FIG. 9B is a side view of the bearing portion 610, which may comprise an outer ring 611. FIG. 9C is a top view of the bearing portion 610 and shows that the bearing portion 610 may comprise an outer ring 611, bearings 612, inner ring 613, and cleat engagement portion or hole 605. FIG. 9D shows a perspective view of the rotating portion 650, which may comprise an annular ring 652, base 651, and sole engagement portion 655 (shown in FIG. 9E). FIG. 9E shows a rear view of the rotating portion, which may comprise a base 651 and a sole engagement portion 655. The sole engagement portion 655 may be configured to removeably interconnect the rotating portion 650 to an engagement portion on the sole of a shoe, such as engagement portions 131, 132, 133, 141, 142. As shown, the sole engagement portion 655 may be a male snap, which physically and frictionally engages with an opening that is part of or imbedded into the sole of the shoe. The engagement portion 655 may be plastic or metal. The sole engagement portion 655 may be a male snap connector or friction pin that is able to snap into and out of the female reciprocal engagement portion on the sole of the shoe. Alternatively, the engagement portion on the rotating portion 650 may be female and the engagement portion on the sole may be a male connector. In other embodiments, and if there is only one rotating portion and one engagement portion, the two parts may be screwed together like a screw and a nut.

The bearing engagement portion 604 may be configured to matingly engage with the bearing 610 at hole 605. In this manner, the inner ring 613 is statically connected to the engagement portion 604, such that when the cleat 600 rotates the inner ring 613 rotates, but the outer ring 611 does not necessary rotate. The outer ring 611 may be configured to engage with annular ring 652 in a physical, frictional, and/or permanent manner, such that the outer ring 611 and the annular ring 652 are statically connected and do not rotate with respect to one another. The annular ring 652 may have a top lip that holds, permanently, securely, and/or removeably, the bearing portion within the annular ring 652. When the rotating portion 650, bearing portion 610 and cleat 600 are all connected, the cleat 600 may freely rotate with respect to the rotating portion 650.

FIGS. 9A-9E show a rotating portion 650 that has only one sole engagement portion 655. The rotating portion may have 1, 2, 3, or more engagement portions, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 9A-9E, and 11.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of a rotating cleat. FIG. 10 shows the rotating portion 650 engaged with a bearing portion 610, which are both engaged with a cleat 600. FIG. 10 shows that the rotating portion 650 may further comprise lip or retaining portion 699, which may be flexible to allow the bearing portion to snap in and out of the space between the annular ring 652. The stabilizing arms or ring 605 may be parallel to the annular ring 652 so that the cleat 600 and the rotating portion 650 matingly engage, but do not significantly restrict rotational movement between the two parts. FIG. 10 shows how the bearing portion 610 engages with the rotating portion 650 at the annular ring 652 and with the cleat 600 at engagement portion 604.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a side view of a one embodiment of a cap replacing the rotatable cleat. FIG. 11 shows the rotating portion 650 engaged with a bearing portion 610, which are both engaged with a cleat cap 1000. The cleat cap 1000 may be used to replace a cleat, such as cleat 400 or 600, when the user is not golfing or performing the athletic endeavor that requires the cleat. The cleat cap 1000 may have substantially the same structure as the cleat, including an engagement portion 1004 and stabilizing arms 1005. But rather than cleat prongs, fins, or protrusions, the cap 1000 has a substantially flat top 1050 that protects the bearing 610 and the rotating portion 650. The stabilizing arms or ring 1005 may be parallel to the annular ring 652 so that the cap 1000 and the rotating portion matingly engage and stabilize each other, but do not significantly restrict rotational movement between the two parts.

FIG. 11 shows that the rotating portion may have two or more sole engagement portions 656, 657, which are configured to removeably snap into the engagement holes on the sole of the shoe.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe. FIG. 12 shows a shoe 1200 that has three bases 1205, 1210, 1215 and rotating portions 1206, 1211, 1216. Base 1205, which is on a toe portion of the shoe 1200, may attach to the shoe 1200 at one to five (or even more) attachment points in a removable manner. The rotating portion 1206 is preferably positioned at the pivot point of the toe of the user's foot. In this manner, when the user completes a golf swing the shoe 1200 and the user's foot is planted on the toe with the heel elevated, the rotating portion 1206 acts as the pivot point.

FIG. 12 also shows how base 1210, which is on the midsole portion of the shoe 1200, may attach to the shoe 1200 at one to four (as shown) (or even more) attachment points in a removable manner. The rotating portion 1211 is preferably positioned at the pivot point of the user's foot. In this manner, when a golfer completes a golf swing the shoe 1200 and the user's foot is able to rotate at the rotating portion 1211, which acts as the pivot point.

Base 1215, which is on a heel portion of the shoe 1200, may attach to the shoe 1200 at one to four (as shown) attachment points in a removable manner. The rotating portion 1216 is preferably positioned at the pivot point of the heel of the user's foot. In this manner, when the user completes a golf swing the shoe 1200 and the user's foot is planted on the heel with the toe elevated, the rotating portion 1216 acts as the pivot point.

FIG. 12 shows that the shoe 1200 may have all three bases 1205, 1210, 1215 and rotating portions 1206, 1211, 1216, but the shoe 1200 may have just one, two, or as many as three of the bases and rotating portions. Preferably the bases 1205, 1210, 1215 and/or the rotating portions 1206, 1211, 1216 are removable from the shoe. The rotating portions 1206, 1211, 1216 may attach to a cleat or a cap. In some embodiments the cleats may be permanently connected. The rotating portions 1206, 1211, 1216 may have a bearing portion that allows the shoe 1200 to rotate with respect to an attached cleat. One feature of the present disclosure is that the shoe 1200 is adjustable in that the bases may be removed and attached depending on what functionality the user needs, how the user swings, and whether the user is right or left handed.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe. FIG. 13 shows that the shoe 1200 heel base 1260 may connect to the shoe 1200 at two attachment points, rather than four. This allows the rotating portion 1261 to be set further back on the heel of the shoe 1200. FIG. 13 also shows one of the connecting portions 1250. The connecting portions may allow the bases to connect by friction, snapping, or screwing.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of the shoe. FIG. 14 shows that shoe 1200 may have heel connectors 1294, midsole connectors 1292, and toe connectors 1290. The connectors 1290, 1292, 1294 may be raise rubber cleats, bumps, or flat portions that are configured to removeably or permanently interconnect with bases, rotating portions, and/or cleats. FIG. 14 shows connection point 1299 may be configured to engage with one portion of a base.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications which are set forth in this specification, including in the claims which follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range which is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing which has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe with a rotatable cleat, comprising: a shoe; and one or more rotating cleats; wherein said shoe comprises a sole; wherein said sole comprises one or more engagement portions; wherein said one or more rotating cleats each comprise a cleat, a rotating portion, and a bearing portion; wherein said bearing portion is configured to connect with said rotating portion and said cleat, such that said cleat and said rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; and wherein said rotating portion is configured to connect with at least one of said one or more engagement portions, such that said cleat is rotatable with respect to said sole of said shoe.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein said rotating portion has one or more suspension portions.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein said cleat removeably couples to said bearing portion.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein said rotating portion removeably couples to at least one of said one or more engagement portions.
 5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein said sole further comprises one or more mid sole cleats.
 6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein there are two rotating portions, a toe rotating portion and a heel rotating portion; wherein there are two cleats, a toe cleat and a heel cleat.
 7. The shoe of claim 6, wherein said one or more mid sole cleats substantially prevents said toe and heel rotating portions from contacting the ground when a user is standing.
 8. The shoe of claim 6, wherein said toe cleat is configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a heel portion of a foot in a stepping motion, which allows a user to rotate said shoe with respect to the ground and said toe cleat.
 9. The shoe of claim 6, wherein said heel cleat is configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a toe portion of a foot, which allows a user to rotate said shoe with respect to the ground and said heel cleat.
 10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein said toe and heel rotating portions are elevated relative to a middle portion of said sole and are substantially prevented from contacting the ground when a user is standing.
 11. A shoe with a rotatable cleat, comprising: a shoe; and two rotating cleats, which comprise a toe rotating cleat and a heel rotating cleat; wherein said shoe comprises a sole; wherein said sole comprises one or more toe engagement portions and one or more heel engagement portions; wherein said two rotating cleats each comprise a cleat, a rotating portion, and a bearing portion, such that there are two cleats, a toe cleat and a heel cleat, two rotating portions, a toe rotating portion and a heel rotating portion, and two bearing portions, a toe bearing portion and a heel bearing portion; wherein said toe bearing portion is configured to connect with said toe rotating portion and said toe cleat, such that said toe cleat and said toe rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; wherein said heel bearing portion is configured to connect with said heel rotating portion and said heel cleat, such that said heel cleat and said heel rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; wherein said toe rotating portion is configured to connect to said one or more toe engagement portions, such that said toe cleat is rotatable with respect to said sole of said shoe; and wherein said heel rotating portion is configured to connect to said one or more heel engagement portions, such that said heel cleat is rotatable with respect to said heel of said shoe.
 12. The shoe of claim 11, wherein each of said two rotating portions has one or more suspension portions.
 13. The shoe of claim 11, wherein said toe cleat removeably couples to said toe bearing portion; wherein said heel cleat removeably couples to said heel bearing portion; wherein said toe rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more toe engagement portions; wherein said heel rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more heel engagement portions.
 14. The shoe of claim 11, wherein said toe and heel rotating portions are elevated relative to a middle portion of said sole and are substantially prevented from contacting the ground when a user is standing.
 15. The shoe of claim 11, wherein said sole further comprises one or more mid sole cleats; wherein said one or more mid sole cleats substantially prevents said toe and heel rotating portions from contacting the ground when a user is standing.
 16. The shoe of claim 11, wherein said toe cleat is configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a heel portion of a foot in a stepping motion, which allows a user to rotate said shoe with respect to the ground and said toe cleat; wherein said heel cleat is configured to engage with the ground without slipping when a user lifts a toe portion of a foot, which allows a user to rotate said shoe with respect to the ground and said heel cleat.
 17. A rotatable cleat, comprising: a cleat; a rotating portion; and a bearing portion; wherein said bearing portion is configured to connect with said rotating portion and said cleat, such that said cleat and said rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; and wherein said rotating portion is configured to connect with one or more engagement portions of a sole of a shoe, such that said cleat is rotatable with respect to said sole of said shoe.
 18. The rotatable cleat of claim 17, wherein said rotating portion has one or more suspension portions.
 19. The shoe of claim 17, wherein said cleat removeably couples to said bearing portion; wherein said rotating portion removeably couples to at least one of said one or more engagement portions; wherein said cleat is configured to engage with the ground without slipping, which allows a user to rotate said shoe with respect to the ground and said cleat.
 20. A shoe with one or more rotatable cleats, comprising: a shoe; and one or more rotating cleats; wherein said shoe comprises a sole; wherein said sole comprises a toe, a mid-sole, and a heel; wherein said toe comprises one or more toe cleat engagement portions; wherein said mid-sole comprises one or more mid-sole cleat engagement portions; wherein said heel comprises one or more heel cleat engagement portions; wherein said one or more rotating cleats each comprise a cleat, a rotating portion, and a bearing portion; wherein said bearing portion is configured to connect with said rotating portion and said cleat, such that said cleat and said rotating portion are rotatable with respect to each other; and wherein said rotating portion is configured to connect with at least one of said heel, said toe, and said mid-sole, such that said cleat is rotatable with respect to said sole of said shoe.
 21. The shoe of claim 20, wherein said rotating portion has one or more suspension portions.
 22. The shoe of claim 20, wherein said cleat removeably couples to said bearing portion.
 23. The shoe of claim 20, wherein there are two rotating cleats, a first cleat and a second cleat, such that there are two rotating portions, a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion.
 24. The shoe of claim 23, wherein said first rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more toe cleat engagement portions, and said second rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more heel cleat engagement portions.
 25. The shoe of claim 23, wherein said first rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more mid-sole cleat engagement portions, and said second rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more heel cleat engagement portions.
 26. The shoe of claim 23, wherein said first rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more toe cleat engagement portions, and said second rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more mid-sole cleat engagement portions.
 27. The shoe of claim 20, wherein there are three rotating cleats, a toe cleat, a mid-sole cleat, and a heel cleat, such that there are three rotating portions, a toe rotating portion, a mid-sole rotating portion, and a heel rotating portion; and wherein said toe rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more toe cleat engagement portions, said heel rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more heel cleat engagement portions, and said mid-sole rotating portion removeably couples to said one or more mid-sole cleat engagement portions. 